.png){kind=small}
Barbarossa Brothers: Islamic Dominance in Mediterranean Sea (Part Two)
Greece currently occupies the island of Lesbos in the Aegean Sea, but from 1462 until 1912, Turkey ruled over it. One of the greatest heroes of the Ottoman Empire was born in Lésbos in the 1470s. Throughout his career, the Mediterranean pirate known as Barbarossa (Italian for "Redbeard") went by a number of names, including Khiḍr, Hayreddin Pasha, the "Pirate of Algiers," and even the "King of the Sea." However, the name Barbarossa originated as a nickname for him and his brother Aruj (or Oruç), who together became known as the Barbarossa brothers.
Oruç Barbarossa
Oruç Barbarossa, also known as Baba Oruç or Baba Aruj, was a prominent Ottoman sea prince who played a significant role in the Ottoman fleet's conquests, particularly in North Africa. He was nicknamed "Barbarossa" by Europeans due to his position and contributions to saving tens of thousands of Andalusians and transporting them to northern African countries. Born on the island of Lesbos (present-day Greece), Oruç was working on a ship to transport and trade goods with his brothers. However, his ambition was not realised, so he decided to leave the city of Midilli to Tripoli in the Levant. On his way, he faced a naval force belonging to the Knights of St. John (Knights Hospitaller). After several battles and clashes, his brother Ilyas was killed, and he was captured with his ship to the island of Rhodes while being chained.[7]
Oruç was subjected to torture and confinement in an underground cell, but captains from the island decided to benefit from his naval expertise and tied him up in a ship to become a rower. [8] The Ottoman prince Korkut bin Bayezid II ruled Antalya, where he used to buy Turkish prisoners who fell into the hands of the Knights of St. John and freed them after paying their ransom. He agreed to transfer the prisoners on board a Rhodesian ship to the coast of Antalya, where he worked. But along the way, a severe storm blew, making the ship lose its balance, and Oruç found an opportunity to escape. He loosened his chains and swam until he reached the coast, where he stayed for ten days. Then he moved to Antalya and met Ali Rais, a famous sailor who had a Kalyon ship (a type of Turkish warship) to trade between his city and Alexandria in northern Egypt.
Oruç had a strong friendship with the treasurer of Prince Korkut called "Piyale Bey," who prompted him to mediate with the Ottoman prince. He was given two ships, one from prince Korkut and another from Piyale Bey.
He asked the Sultan to allow him to invade with his ship built for him by Prince Korkut, and Sultan Selim I agreed. The losses inflicted by Oruç to the Spanish provoked their anger, prompting them to pursue him in the Mediterranean. He reached the coasts of Andalusia, where the Inquisition in Granada fell into the hands of the Spaniards. There, They tortured Muslims and Jews alike and forced them to Christianize by force. Those Muslims became known as "Moriscos." The mission of the Ottoman fleet was to transport the Muslims of Andalusia to the Ottoman provinces in North Africa, Algeria, Tunisia, or Istanbul, which increased the popularity of the Barbarossa brothers, Oruç, and Khairuddin.
Oruç provided assistance to the Muslims of Bejaia and was supported by Captain Peri Reis in Tunisia. The Oruç fleet, consisting of 2033 sailors, 10 large ships, 150 cannons, and tens of thousands of rowing captives, arrived at the port of Bejaia and began a clash with the Spaniards. The Ottoman Navy ended the battle after dropping half of the Spanish soldiers among the dead and prisoners. The Spanish fleet fled in front of the Ottoman counterpart fortified in the castle of Bejaia, but the resistance continued from inside the castle for 29 days. Oruç found a favourable opportunity to open the city of Jijel, which forced the Spanish fleet to confront the Ottomans. This led to other clashes, with most of the Spanish soldiers falling.
In 1516, a delegation of Algerians demanded that Oruç rid them of the Spaniards. Oruç agreed, but conditioned Algeria's accession to the Ottoman Empire if he succeeded in overthrowing the Spanish garrison stationed there, specifically in the "Citadel of Benin." The bombing began but did not bear fruit, and the Spanish army allied with Emir of Tunisia Salim Toumi to assassinate Oruç or expel him from the country. Oruç entered Algeria as a conqueror with an army of 500 sailors and 800 fighters, and the residents received him as conquerors.[9] He developed a new administrative system for Algeria, which was impressive, and divided the country into two provinces.
The French historian Joseph François Michaud said about him:
"These two brothers (Oruç and Khairuddin) had boldness and boldness more than what is known to men, and they had extraordinary political cunning, which makes people surprised by the presence of such men, when two men whose primitive culture did not qualify them to play this great role, the role of leading peoples".[10]
The historian De Grammont in his book comments on the history of the maritime struggle of this distinguished leader, saying: "Many historians do not see in Oruç only the leader of a gang only, and I do not know an unjust judgement contrary to the truth such as this judgement, the first Barbarossa (Oruç) was only a soldier of the commando soldiers of Islam, strived on board the seas relentless jihad, against the enemies of his king, and against the enemies of his religion, as he was committed during this jihad. By all the rules and foundations that were in place during that period of history, he was never more cruel or less cruel than the enemies he was fighting harder." [11]
Oruç and his brother Khairuddin had extraordinary political cunning and boldness, making them a significant figure in Islamic history. After a long history of Islamic war against the West, Oruç and his army remained resistant, refusing to surrender and raising the white flag. In recognition of his efforts, the Turkish Navy named three of its largest submarines (TCG Oruç Reis - TCG Oruçreis S-337 - TCG Oruçreis RAD-14) and several other ships named after him." [12]
Khairuddin Barbarossa
During the Turkish naval exercises, known as the "Blue Homeland" exercises in 2019, Turkish ships stood in front of the tomb of Hayreddin Barbarossa on the coast of Besiktas in Istanbul. The cemetery, which opens to visitors half a day a week ahead of naval exercises and is open five days a week during the exercises, indicates the inspiration and strength of the owner of this cemetery for recruits and commanders in the Turkish navy. [13]
Khairuddin (Hayreddin in Turkish), born in 1478 on the island of Lesbos (present-day Greece), grew up in a navy family, with his father Abu Yusuf Nurullah Yaqub Agha who was working as a sailor before becoming a knight on the island of Medilli after its conquest. His older brother Oruç, Prince of the Mediterranean and later one of the commanders of the Ottoman navy, adopted his younger brother as a navy. Historians believe that Khairuddin grew up in a pure Islamic environment, which had a great impact on his life.
Khairuddin embraced the sea from a young age as an assistant to his brother Oruç, who worked in trade and transported goods between the Aegean islands and Medilli. After the death of his brother Ilias, Khairuddin decided to avenge the death of his brother and release the older brother Oruç. He travelled to the island of "Bodrum" where he had a friend who interceded with him to release his brother in exchange for any amount of money. Khairuddin's intention to release his brother provoked the Knights of Rhodes, who tortured him for a long time and made him work as rowers on a ship. After his captivity, Oruç went to Alexandria, where he was assigned to lead his fleet by Sultan Kanz al-Ghuri.
A six-year battle (1512-1518) was led by Khairuddin and his brother Oruç in defence of the blood and sanctities of Muslims that the Crusaders had desecrated in Spain and other old continent nations. [14] One of the most prominent epics fought by Khairuddin during those years was his victory for the people of "Bejaia" Algeria, saving them from the torture campaigns they were subjected to there in 1513. Algerians formed a delegation to support the Barbarossa brothers, who were the commanders of a naval fleet. Khairuddin agreed to meet with the warriors near the city to march against the Spanish fleet. The Muslim fleet was at sea, while the Spanish fleet arrived to support the garrison. Khairuddin realised the difficulty of fighting the Spanish fleet. He deceived them by pretending to move his fleet away from the Spanish fleet, and the Spaniards deceived by assuming the road was empty. Khairuddin targeted the Spanish fleet, causing violent clashes. Initially, the Ottomans achieved a victory, but their differing views led to losses. Oruç attacked the harbour and castle in Bejaia, while Khairuddin wanted to return to Tunisia and attack until their fleet was as large as the enemy's.
The battle and its ferocity warned Europe that the balance of power in the Mediterranean was no longer what it was in the past. The Ottoman fleet, representing the Muslims, became a major threat and needed to be dealt with according to a new equation. In 1515, Khairuddin led a fleet of eight boats to support the Muslims in Andalusia, where they suffered torture and abuse. He described their situation in his memoirs, saying: "The Islamic city of Granada had soon fallen to the Spaniards. The Spaniards were imposing great grievances against Muslims. Many of them were compelled to worship God in secret mosques they built underground. Every mosque that the Spanish found was set on fire, and they would torture or even burn any Muslim with his children who was fasting or praying." [15] The Ottoman fleet was able to transport thousands of Andalusian Muslims to Algeria and Tunisia, and on the way back they were able to seize many Spanish and Portuguese ships in the Mediterranean, as well as some occupied islands on the coast of Tunisia.
Khairuddin Barbarossa held a significant position among the people of Algeria and Tunisia, particularly the poor. He was known for his efforts in addressing the mistakes made in the first battle and distributing wheat for free to the poor. For the second time a delegation from Bejaia came to him, carrying a message from the people of the city, in which they said, according to 'memoirs of Khairuddin': "If there is relief, let it be from you, O heroic warrior. We are no longer able to pray or teach our children the Holy Quran because of the injustice we encounter from the Spaniards. We are putting our matter in your hands. May Allah make you the reason for our salvation by handing it over to you, so honour our country and hasten to rid us of these infidels (meaning the Spaniards)".
Khairuddin and his brother Oruç boarded a fleet of 10 ships, 150 cannons, and dozens of sailing ships along with 2033 sailors to head to Bejaia. With nearly half of the Spanish fighters eliminated, the Ottomans captured the castle, but the final conquest and capture occurred during the reign of Salih Reis in 1555. After the martyrdom of his elder brother Oruç Reis, who was governor of Algeria in 1518 AD, the sailors unanimously handed over the leadership to Khairuddin. However, he was affected by the death of his brother, who was his teacher and patron from a young age. However, after many pressures and some disputes at home, such as the rebellion of some tribes and the attempt to monopolise power, he retreated from his position and accepted the mandate. Especially after the attack of the Spaniards on Tlemcen, which led to the rebellion of Tenis and Cherchell and the return of their old rulers, as mentioned by the historian Ahmed Tawfiq Al Madani. [16]
Khairuddin rejected any attempts to rebel against the system of government in Algeria, especially after Ahmed al-Kadhi sought to turn the people and tribes against Barbarossa to clear the path in front of him towards the throne. In response to the attempt of the Sultan of Tunisia to wrest the rule of the country again, Khairuddin said his famous phrase in response: "It is all for God to cherish whoever He wants and humiliate whoever He wants, the Sultan of Tunisia was oblivious to this delicate matter, and because of his mistakes and sins, God humiliated him. Algeria is now under my authority and no manpower can take it away from me. Because this country does not belong to me but to our sultan, Selim Khan, and until today no one has heard that a country was taken away from the Ottomans."
After Sultan Selim, Barbarossa vowed allegiance to Sultan Suleiman Khan I, also referred to as Suleiman the Magnificent, upon his succession. In 1533, Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent summoned Khairuddin from Algeria, asking him to come to Istanbul. On his way, the brave commander seized many booty and ships, entering the capital of the Ottoman Empire loaded with victory. After a full royal reception with the ruler of Algeria, the Sultan appointed him as 'Kaputan-i Daraya', the captain of the Ottoman fleet.
He also held the position of governor of Algeria, even if he was asked to appoint whomever he deems appropriate to manage the affairs of the state on his behalf. Khairuddin enjoyed a high position and status with the Sultan due to his pivotal role in expanding the influence of the Ottoman Empire through his wars fought against European fleets in the Mediterranean and North Africa. He participated in other great wars, including the Ottoman-Venice War (1537-1540).
One of the Khairuddin’s most famous battles was in 1538 with his victory at Preveza, Greece. It was against a combined fleet that included ships from Venice, Genoa, Spain, Portugal, Malta, and the Papal States. In 1537, commanding a large Ottoman fleet, Khairuddin Barbarossa captured a number of Aegean and Ionian islands belonging to the Republic of Venice, namely Syros, Aegina, Ios, Paros, Tinos, Karpathos, Kasos, and Naxos, thus annexing the Duchy of Naxos to the Ottoman Empire. He then unsuccessfully besieged the Venetian stronghold of Corfu and ravaged the Spanish-held Calabrian coast in southern Italy.
In the face of this threat, Pope Paul III in February 1538 assembled a "Holy League", comprising the Papal States, Habsburg Spain, the Republic of Genoa, the Republic of Venice, and the Knights of Malta, to confront the Ottoman fleet under Barbarossa. Andrea Doria, the Genoese admiral in the service of Emperor Charles V was in overall command. The key to his victory was to use galleys instead of sailing ships since galleys were driven by oars and did not depend on the wind which made them easy to manoeuvre. Barbarossa was able to defeat the powerful combined force by using only 122 galleys against 300 sailing ships. Barbarossa’s victory opened Tripoli and the eastern Mediterranean to Ottoman rule.
Years later, in 1544, France's King Francis I requested Suleiman's assistance against the Spanish, who had declared war on him. Barbarossa was sent to the French king by Suleiman. Barbarossa battered the Spanish once more and, just for good measure, took control of the Spanish-controlled Italian port of Naples. At the age of seventy-five, he retired to his home on the beach of Büyükdere in Istanbul and began writing his memoirs, which were divided into five parts, at the request of the Sultan. [17]
On July 4, 1546, Khairuddin Barbarossa died and was buried in the
mausoleum built by Sinan Pasha in 1541 in Besiktas. The monument to his
mausoleum was erected in 1944, and his name was given to the pier in the Besiktas
area and several ships in the Turkish navy. A Turkish film documenting his biography
and history was produced under the name "Barbarossa Hayreddin Pasha" in 1951. In
short Khairuddin Barbarossa was not only a naval commander who owned the
Mediterranean in the east and west, but he was a shining star in the sky of the Ottoman
navy in the first half of the sixteenth century AD. He is credited with restructuring
many North African countries, along with building Algeria its personality that it has in
the modern era. [18]
References:
7
. Abun-Nasr, J. M. (Ed.). (1987). A History of the Maghrib in the Islamic Period. Cambridge University Press.
p(148,149)
8
. Dr. Mohamed Darrag. Muḏakarāt ẖayr al-Dīn Barbarōs. p(27,28)
9
. BRILL'S, E. J. (1988). Encyclopaedia of Islam 1913-1936. Journal of Arabic Literature, 19(1), 95-95.
10. Michaud, J. F. (1882). The History of the Crusades (Vol. 3). AC Armstrong and Son.
11. De Grammont, H. D. (2002). Histoire d'Alger sous la domination turque, 1515-1830. Éditions Bouchène.
12. Randa Attia. (2021). Oruç Barbarossa: The captain who conquered Algeria and expelled the Spaniards from it,
Noon Post.
13. Ufuk Necat Tasci, Barbaros Hayreddin Pasa: an inspiration for the Turkish navy
14. Bassam Al-Asali. Khairuddin Barbarossa.
15. Dr. Mohamed Darrag. Muḏakarāt ẖayr al-Dīn Barbarōs, p(44,45)
16. Ahmed Tawfiq. Al- Madani. (1984). Ḥrb al-Ṯalāṯūmiʾat Bayna al-Ǧzāʾir wa ʾIsbāniya, 1492-1792National .
Book Foundation. Algeria. p(166,167)
17. Abun-Nasr, J. M. (Ed.). (1987). A History of the Maghrib in the Islamic Period. Cambridge University Press.
p(150,151)
18. Randa Attia. (2021). Khairuddin Barbarossa. Prince of the Seas who terrified Europe and saved the Muslims of
Andalusia, Noon Post,